From the Lake District to Angkor Wat: Reminiscing with my Lowepro Stealth Reporter 500 AW and my aching shoulders

Lowepro Stealth Reporter 500 AW 是Cheney 買的第二個攝影包包，也是目前買過中容量最大的, 這個包包不知道是不是絕版了, 就算有應該也是改款了.....

這個包包的基本定位應該是這樣：

以類型來說：專業的攝影記者包

適用族群：新聞攝影/商業攝影/多幾多鏡頭使用者

核心設計理念：快速取用＋高保護性＋大容量

啊....剛剛突然看到....ebay 上好像只要25美金....

The Lowepro Stealth Reporter 500 AW was the second camera bag I ever bought, and to this day, it remains the one with the largest capacity in my collection. I’m not sure if it’s officially discontinued, but even if it’s still out there, it’s likely been redesigned...

The original DNA of this bag was clear:

• Type: Professional Photojournalist Bag

• Target Audience: Press photographers, commercial shooters, or anyone carrying multiple bodies and lenses.

• Core Design Philosophy: Quick access + High protection + Massive capacity.

Wait... I just saw it on eBay for only $25 USD...

容量的部分

可以放：

• 2台專業單眼（含握把）
• 5～6顆鏡頭（可到 70-200 f/2.8 級別）
• 閃光燈 + 配件

內部尺寸：36 × 17 × 24 cm

簡單說可以把你全部的攝影設備一次打包出門拍照啦......不過大多數人應該肩膀就掛了吧......畢竟是單肩包......話說...這個包包...可以陪Cheney 走過英國湖區....歐洲....吳哥窟的.....看...Cheney的肩膀有多勇吧！！

In terms of capacity, it can swallow:

• 2 professional DSLRs (with battery grips)

• 5 to 6 lenses (including a 70-200mm f/2.8 class lens)

• Flash units + various accessories

• Internal Dimensions: 36 × 17 × 24 cm

Simply put, you could pack your entire photography kit for a shoot in one go. However, most people’s shoulders would probably give out—it is a shoulder bag, after all. That said, this bag accompanied me through the English Lake District, across Europe, and into Angkor Wat. Just look at how tough my shoulders used to be!

Lowepro Stealth Reporter 500 AW 的設計靈魂就是快速取用...在上蓋的地方拉鍊拉開就可以快速拿取鏡頭...這個對攝影記者來說...真的是很重要啊！！那時候很重要！現在大概沒人這樣了吧.....所以他真的非常適合街拍或是新聞攝影......他的內部也可以自由調整．．．．所以算是非常好用的
The "soul" of the Stealth Reporter 500 AW is speed. The zipper on the top lid allows you to grab lenses instantly. Back then, this was crucial for photojournalists! It might not be as common today, but it’s still fantastic for street or news photography. The interior is also fully customizable, making it incredibly versatile.

Lowepro Stealth Reporter 500 AW 的另一個經典設計,就是他的防雨套

這個防雨套....可是在英國湖區幫了Cheney大忙...在英國湖區的時候..正好有一天的戶外健行行程碰到下雨......Cheney應該靠著這個雨衣走了七八個小時吧....應該吧....實際走了多久也忘了

Another classic feature is the All Weather (AW) cover. This rain cover was a lifesaver during a hiking trip in the Lake District. I remember walking in the rain for maybe seven or eight hours—I’ve lost track of the exact time, but that "raincoat" definitely did its job.

他還考慮到背帶的部分啊...真是很棒啊

Even the shoulder strap design was thoughtfully engineered.

最後來說一下這個包包的優缺點吧

優點：

• 大容量（可帶整套系統）
•  保護力強（厚墊）
•  取用速度快
•  防雨設計完整

缺點：

• 很重.....空包就很重....裝滿裝備...簡直是要殺死人的節奏
• 很大包...外型很大包...就是個攝影大包包....街拍需要低調的時候就很麻煩...然後進商店...不小心一轉身就有可能把人家的展示產品碰到.....如果是在日本小樽的賣玻璃藝品的商店...應該可以聽到清脆的響聲
• 不適合長時間側背...會死人的 ，肩膀會廢掉

舊包包.....拿出來洗乾淨...懷念一下....那段又窮...又愛到處亂跑拍照的日子...

現在改帶 Nikon Zf 和單顆蔡司鏡頭出門，回頭看看 500 AW，真佩服當年的肩膀啊！

Finally, let’s talk about the Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• Massive Capacity: Carries an entire system.

• Superior Protection: Thick padding throughout.

• Rapid Access: Quick-zip top.

• Complete Weatherproofing: Robust rain cover design.

Cons:

• Incredibly Heavy: Even empty, it’s heavy. Fully loaded? It’s a death march.

• Bulky Profile: It screams "Big Camera Bag." It’s hard to stay low-profile for street photography, and in tight shops, one wrong turn could knock over a display. If you were in a glass craft shop in Otaru, Japan, you’d likely hear a very expensive "crunch."

• Ergonomics: Not suitable for long-term side-carrying. Your shoulder will eventually quit on you.

I recently took this old bag out to wash and clean it up—just to reminisce about those days when I was broke, but loved wandering everywhere to take photos.

Now that I’m out with just my Nikon Zf and a single ZEISS lens, looking back at the 500 AW, I really admire my younger shoulders!